When a small tabby kitten arrived at Cincinnati Animal CARE, a shelter in Ohio, he couldn’t stand or walk on his own.
Named Gelato by shelter staff, the kitten had a spinal injury that left his back legs too weak and unable to support his weight. Gelato was still able to move his legs and retain bowel and bladder control, which veterinarians said was promising.
But the kitten still needed a way to navigate.
He was deemed too tiny to fit into any of their existing mobility devices, so veterinary assistant lead Mallory Smith started thinking outside the box.
“He really wanted to play and walk around,” Smith told Local 12 News. “So, I used what I had.”
What she had was cardboard, rulers, Hot Wheels toy cars, and plenty of duct tape.
@cincyanimalcare/Instagram
“Shelter medicine is all about working with what you have,” Cincinnati Animal CARE wrote on Instagram, “and a little creativity can go a very long way.”
Gelato, who now wears his “Transformers”-inspired mobility aid while in foster care with Smith, is “getting stronger every day,” the shelter shared.
“It’s already making a difference,” the shelter wrote about the DIY wheelchair. “[He] is even starting to stand for little moments on his own! Every tiny step is a huge victory, and we’re so excited to watch him continue on this journey.”
The vet team at the shelter told Local 12 News that they are “pretty optimistic” that Gelato will make a full recovery.
While plenty of disabled dogs and cats rely on wheelchairs to live comfortable and fulfilling lives, Gelato may not even need a mobility device in the future.
“Thanks to Mallory’s incredible ingenuity and dedication, Gelato has a little extra support as he works toward a stronger tomorrow,” Cincinnati Animal CARE wrote on Instagram.
“Sometimes, all it takes is a little creativity, a lot of heart, and someone who refuses to give up.”
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Featured Image: Screenshots via @cincyanimalcare/Instagram
